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(I’m guessing you like boats and wolves?)
Wolves definitely are my favourite animal, this may or may not be evident in my writing. (More on that later.)
The boat thing was more of a joke. I a board game I play with my friends, there is an option to build sea vessels, but it is rarely done. On the occasion it does happen, it is a big deal, and cries of ‘Guys, is that a boat? Boat! Boat!!’ ring out around the table.
Glad you’re still staying with it!
You’re welcome!
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
It has to be that. Everything else looks Roman!
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
HA! Got it!!
Ardentan’s have a French/Irish/English culture.
The Empire is German/Roman.
Turbans do not fit either of those.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
I guessed you like wolves!
ah, I see! What game?
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Woohooooo!!!!!!! *victory dance*
So…you’re introducing a new people culture?
Oh, the romans/germans are called the Empire? Empirians? *cackling*
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
It would be you who figured it out. Everyone else has read these books, and then you swoop in and find it! haha!
I am.
Empirians!
*dies*
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
ah, I see! What game?
I don’t think it would be your thing. It’s a high fantasy 4X board game called ‘Heroes of Land, Air, and Sea.’ Think World fo Warcraft-type fantasy. It’s a game that takes 2-3, sometimes 4 hours to play.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Wait a minute… so, what?? You’re introducing like a middle-East themed culture??
“I like good strong words that mean something!"
Yes, I thought of you as a quieter girl. Lover of books. Long light/medium brown hair. Writer, friendly, softer spoke.
*shrug*
Not sure if any of that is true. (except I know the hair isn’t.)
I mean yeah, that sounds pretty accurate. I may be more talkative than you pictured, but everything else sounds right.
Wait a second—what color do you think my hair is? Blonde? I thought it was kind of light brown.
“I like good strong words that mean something!"
I thought is was the same color as your pfp with the girl and the bookshelf. So a lighter medium brown.
Yes, a new culture.
Gak! Everyone is driving me nuts with all this pfp and name changing. I don’t know who anyone is anymore! *sob*
lololololol.
(did you draw that?)
Oh, sounds like something my dad would like.
wait…… how did you know I don’t like long games?
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty
NEXT SECTION!
(In case anyone hasn’t noticed, I’m starting out small because this is the beginning after all. I think the sections will get bigger soon, and I’ll also maybe post some more today.)
Julian sat down on a rock by the path and drew in several deep breaths, uncorking his canteen and taking a long drink. Leon stood beside him and drank his own water.
Julian lowered the canteen and grinned at his friend. “Two years of freedom has taken a toll on the pace I used to set,”
Leon nodded in agreement and looked ahead. “The sun is setting, and we aren’t in sight of the border yet.”
“Perhaps we should rest here for the night. It’s fairly sheltered,” Julian suggested.
“Why not.”
Soon the two were crouched around a small fire as the sun sank, and the shadows deepened about them. “Doesn’t this remind you of the old days?” Julian asked.
Leon smiled and nodded, staring into the flames. “God used that time to prepare us for this. I am sure of it.”
“It will be so strange to be tall again,” Julian grinned.
Leon chuckled.
Julian reached over for his rucksack. “I wonder what Amelia packed,” He opened it and looked through the contents. “Lots of bread, dried meat, corn meal, dried fruit… oh yes! Raisin cakes!”
Leon was already delving into his. “Look at this! A woolen hat, gloves, and scarf,” he said, pulling them out.
Julian had just discovered his set. “She must have remembered what we said about the snow there.”
Leon nodded silently and looked through the rest of the pack. “What’s this?” he asked, pulling out a parcel wrapped in oilskin. He opened it to find a leather-bound book, a quill, and a jar of ink. There was a letter under the cover, and he pulled it out and read Joseph’s familiar handwriting.
Julian and Leon,
Amelia and I wanted to give this to you both. We hope that when there is time, you will record your journey and whatever happens in the Empire. Perhaps, someday, someone will be able to find this, and we may know what occurred. Even if that is not so, then at least others in the Empire will know what you so willingly gave your freedom and perhaps even your lives for. We will all miss you so much. Everyone will pray for you both. It’s so hard to say goodbye, and I know I could never do it unless I firmly believed we will meet again. May God guide you and protect you on this journey. Trust Him no matter what happens, for as we all know, He will never leave you or forsake you.
Until we meet again with our Lord, Jesus Christ,
Joseph and Amelia.Leon slowly folded the letter and looked at Julian. His friend was sitting very still, staring into the fire. “Leon, is it… is it hard for you to go?”
“Yes,” Leon replied. “It is hard to leave freedom and those who have become family to us. But I feel God’s call, and I will trust Him. He has called me, and He will give me the strength to obey.”
Julian drew in a breath and looked up. “I’m glad you’re with me.”
Leon nodded in agreement. He looked up at the stars beginning to shine through the velvety dark blue of the sky. “We should probably get some sleep.”
As the two lay down beside the dimming fire, Julian thought of those days he and Leon had spent on the run, never knowing if death lurked just a few moments away. In the beginning it had been terrifying, and they had hardly been able to sleep. But, as the time passed, they had both learned to put their trust in God, clinging to the promises of Scripture as their only source of comfort and strength.
Julian glanced across the fire and saw Leon was already asleep on the other side. He smiled and pillowed his head on his arm, closing his eyes. “I trust you, Father. No matter what happens.”
***
“Well, there it is.”
Those four words hung in the air long after Leon had spoken them. The two young men were standing atop a hill looking down on the border below them.
At long last, Julian shifted his pack and let out a long breath. “Alright then, here we go.” With that, he started off down the hill.
Leon hurried to follow, and the two made their way down the path to the border. They were hailed by a tall Ardantin on the back of a dark horse. The young man road up to them, and Leon noted the recurve bow he carried in his hand. The soldier slowed and looked down from his mount. “Good day, and where are you bound?” he asked in a friendly tone.
“The Empire,” Leon replied.
The Ardantin arched an eyebrow, taking in their fair complexion. “And why do you seek to go to that vile place?”
“We are going to bring them the Word of God,” Leon replied firmly.
“Are you crazy? You’ll go to your deaths!” the soldier exclaimed.
Julian nodded. “That may be. But God has called us back to the Empire, and we must follow where He leads.
The soldier nodded slowly and dismounted. “Forgive my hasty words. They were spoken only out of concern for your safety.”
Leon smiled. “You are not the first.”
“Come to the guardhouse and replenish your provisions,” the soldier said. “I insist,” he added when he saw Leon begin to shake his head.
Leon smiled. “Thank you. We will, and gladly.”
At the guardhouse, Leon and Julian refilled their packs from the supplies the soldiers offered. They were very friendly, though some seemed very confused when they learned Leon and Julian were returning to the Empire. Why would the two give up their freedom–– and most likely their lives–– to bring the Word of God to such a perverse, dangerous, and evil place?
Julian replied it was because of the darkness of the Empire that they had been called there. Many of the soldiers were still confused, and all of them were worried.
After about half an hour, Leon and Julian were ready to set out again. The young soldier they had first met walked with them a little way and pointed to the open ground before them. “This is the place between the two countries. The true border is where that post stands. It’s a two mile stretch of ground, for part of the agreement at the end of the war was that we would each move our outposts one mile back from the border, and not cross into one another’s territory.”
Leon let out a slow breath. “Let’s pray they think we’re leftovers of the war trying to get back to our country.”
“Whatever you do, don’t make them upset. I don’t want another war,” the soldier said grimly.
Julian grinned. “We’ll do our best.”
“Well, this is where we leave you,” Leon said. He turned and the two shook hands with the soldier. Then, they moved forward, leaving the guard standing on the path, watching them.
They walked in silence until they reached the border line. Here, they paused. For several moments they stood looking into the Empire. “Father, help us,” Leon whispered. Then, he and Julian stepped across.
For a moment they stood, tense and ready to run or fight.
Nothing happened.
Julian turned to look over his shoulder back into Ardenta. Leon followed his gaze. Neither spoke, but both knew what the other was thinking.
This was the last time they would see Ardenta.
Leon turned and walked farther into the Empire, refusing to look back. Julian came and fell instep beside him. They traveled the last mile to the Imperial border patrol in silence. Both wondered if these were their last few moments, or if they would survive the encounter with the soldiers of the Empire.
It wasn’t long before a great stone wall blocked out the horizon. The flags of the Empire fluttered from turrets, and the silhouettes of soldiers could be seen moving back and forth atop the walls. The two walked toward the great iron gates and were met by two soldiers wielding halberds. They came to a stop as the guards approached.
“State your names and business,” one snapped. Leon pushed back the hood of his cloak, and the two soldiers started in surprise. Leon snapped to attention and saluted them, his hand raised in front of him. “Fifth battalion, Regiment Eagle.” He wasn’t sure how many people knew about his and Julian’s desertion, or that they had a price on their heads. It was better to start off on the right foot.
“Well,” the younger guard exclaimed, raising his weapon and stepping back.
“Now just a moment. What were you doing over there?” the other guard asked.
“Ardenta?” Leon asked. He shook his head. “We were stationed there before the second war. Then the Vendailians and their allies came in… what a mess. We were lucky to get out!”
“You fought with the fifth?” The younger asked, excitedly. “They say that the fifth lead the charge when the Ardentan Capital fell.”
Julian smiled grimly. “We did.”
“What was it like?”
“Terrible,” Leon said, quietly.
The older guard relaxed slightly. “I was with the third. We weren’t too far behind you.” He shook his head. “Terrible is a good word to describe it. Not much glory in a massacre like that.” He looked up, moving to stand more at attention. “Welcome back. Come rest in the guardhouse.”
“We would,” Leon replied. “But we thought it best to go on and make as much headway as we can.”
They walked with the guards to the large gates, which–– at the signal of the elder guard’s horn–– opened to admit them. After a few more greetings, the two were on their way down the road.
It was not until they were long out of sight of the border that they paused to breathe freely. “I can’t believe it,” Leon said, laughing breathlessly. “We got through!”
Julian grinned and glanced back the way they had come. “Thank you, Lord.”
“What do you think is ahead?” Leon asked, looking down the road in front of them.”
Julian shrugged. “I don’t know. But I have a feeling it will be something that will shake the entire world as we know it.”
“You think?” Leon asked.
Julian grinned. “There’s only one way to find out.”
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Nice job! I can’t wait to see where this goes…
“I like good strong words that mean something!"
So, what do you think of them? You like their characters?
Actually, you haven’t seen much of them. Hold that thought.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty
NEXT SECTION! 2
It was after sunset, and Julian and Leon were walking alone in the dim light. “So, how should we go about this?” Julian asked.
“I say the same as we did when on the run in Ardenta. We’ll try to get a place to sleep with a family, share the Truth with them, if they accept, then stay a little while. If not, then do as Jesus said; ‘shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.’”
“Simple enough. We should survive exactly one encounter,” Julian mused.
“We’re not here to survive, we’re here to be used by God for whatever He wants,” Leon pointed out.
“True,” Julian agreed. “So, let’s start with the first part, and that is finding a place to sleep. I don’t know about you, but I smell rain, and I would rather not be soaked tonight.”
“Agreed.”
It was pitch black when they spotted the light spilling from the windows of a farmstead. The two made their way to the gate and pushed it open. They walked up to the house and Leon knocked. There was a murmur of voices and then steps.
A man opened the door. “And what do you want at this hour?” he demanded.
“Good evening, sir,” Leon said. “My friend and I are traveling, and we were seeking shelter for the night. It appears there will most certainly be a storm.”
The man looked up at the darker patches of starless sky. “Hayloft of the barn. No lantern. Tomorrow you can work for breakfast.” With that, he closed the door.
Julian raised an eyebrow at Leon. “And I thought Ardentans were supposed to be unfriendly.”
Leon shrugged and walked toward the barn. They found the door and pushed it open. Leon spotted the ladder and moved toward it.
Julian closed the door, pitching them into darkness. After tripping over several things, and startling what sounded like a horse, he found Leon, and they made their way upstairs. Crawling on hands and knees, the two found a pile of hay. Taking off their boots and packs, they shifted the hay about to get comfortable. “Well Lord, thank you for protecting us on our journey and bringing us this far. Help us to be a light to whoever lives in this house,” Leon prayed.
“Yes, Lord. May your will be done,” Julian agreed.
Outside, thunder rumbled, and rain began to patter on the roof. The two lay and listened to it and after a time, they drifted into deep sleep.
***
The next morning, Julian and Leon were up bright and early with the sun. They could hear two male voices outside, and the opening and slamming of a door. The two young men pulled on their boots and shouldered their packs. “Alright Lord may Your will be done,” Leon said.
The two stepped out into the bright sunlight just as the farmer and his son arrived. The farmer paused and looked them over. “Well, you look as though you’ve seen a hard day’s work in your lives. You can work with us before breakfast, and if you want anything else, you’ll have to do more.”
“Fair enough,” Leon agreed.
“Come join us for morning worship,” the farmer said, motioning to the house.
“Thank you, but I’m afraid we can’t,” Julian replied.
“And why is that?” the farmer asked suspiciously.
“You see sir,” began Leon. God help me say the right thing.
“We don’t believe in the gods of the Empire,” Julian cut in.
There was a stunned silence.
“We worship the One true God,” Julian explained.
“That is sacrilege,” the farmer’s son said in a whisper.
“The gods of the Empire aren’t gods at all. They were made by men’s hands,” Julian replied. “There is only One God.”
“Do you know the consequences of such words!” the farmer cried angrily.
“I’ll face the consequences, but I’ll never bow the knee to those idols again,” Julian retorted. “They aren’t gods, they can’t do anything for anyone. They are tools used by the priests to control the people! They––”
A flash of light caught Julian’s eye, and he ducked just as a knife slashed through the air over his head. It struck the barn wall and held fast, the sun gleaming off its blade.
Julian looked up to see the farm’s son, still with his arm outstretched from the throw.
“How dare you speak in such a manner!” the farmer yelled. “You’ll bring the curse of the gods upon us all unless you’re silenced!” he turned on his son. “Go get your brothers! Go call the guards!”
“Julian, run!” Leon yelled.
The two spun and bolted for the road. Behind them they heard more shouting, the pounding of feet, and the cry of a horse.
They raced onto the road, and Leon swerved toward a forest. The two darted inside the cover of the trees, weaving and dodging to throw their pursuers off track. Leon came to the steep bank of a narrow river and paused. Behind them, they could hear crashing and shouting. Leon spun and jumped, half sliding half falling down the bank. Julian slid down after him and the two hit the waist-deep water. They scrambled into a cavity under the bank and crouched in breathless silence.
For a while, steps came very near, passed, and then came near again. Then, the steps stopped right above them. “Which way?” asked the farmer’s voice.
“I’m sure they went this way,” his son replied.
“I thought they went the other way,” retorted a younger voice. One of them took a step toward the edge, and dirt sifted down on Leon and Julian. They held their breaths, praying silently. The steps retreated a little way, and another spoke. “Well, so long as you ran them off the farm, we shouldn’t have to worry.”
“The gods will be displeased,” came the farmer’s voice.
“I threw a knife at them, I think that ought to show what side we’re on,” came the oldest son’s voice. “Speaking of which, I had better go get that. Did you see his reflexes! I can’t believe he dodged that!”
“Maybe he’s part spirit,” came the youngest voice. “Like in the story of Hanar.”
“Keep quiet,” snapped another. “Come on, let’s go home. I’m hungry.”
The steps faded into the distance, and Julian and Leon relaxed. After a time, they slipped out of their hiding and waded a little way down the river before finding a place they could climb up on the opposite bank. They hurried through the forest for a good mile or so before they felt safe enough to slow their pace.
“Well, that was invigorating. Nothing like a morning run,” Julian remarked.
“That wasn’t the reaction I had hoped for,” Leon sighed.
“I wonder if a should try a more tact approach to the subject next time. After all, these aren’t Ardentans. I think our people are quicker to flash in anger then they are,” Julian mused.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Leon agreed. “You want some breakfast?”
Julian grinned.
They waited until the found a small clearing, and then they settled down to eat some of the provisions from their packs. Leon pulled out the journal and flipped it open, picking up the quill and dipping it in the ink. Julian ate a piece of bread and dried meat and watched.
The fifteenth year of Emperor Haidronias’s reign
September 19th
The EmpireToday marks the beginning of our first full day in the Empire. Julian and I have set out to bring God’s word to the people of our homeland, and so far, it has not been easy. We have encountered one family, who let us sleep in their barn. This morning, they asked us to join them for the morning offering to the gods. We refused, and Julian began to try to tell them why. His words fell on deaf ears, and he was nearly hit by a knife the farmer’s son threw. After that, we fled to the forest and hid while they searched for us. The left not long ago, and Julian and I have made good headway into this forest. I believe we will walk through it and see where we end up when we come out on the other side. May God’s will be done.
~Leon Fischer
Leon let the page dry and then closed the book, pushing it into his bag. “Well, what do you say to walking through the forest and seeing where we come out.”
Julian shrugged. “Why not.” He strapped his pack closed and got to his feet.
They started off through the woods, looking up at the tall trees about them. They were mostly evergreens, and they grew hundreds of feet in the air, ramrod straight. At their feet stretched a carpet of golden and red leaves that had started to fall from the few deciduous trees scattered here and there. There were rocks in abundance and squirrels argued over nuts while birds chattered in the branches above. A mist hung throughout the forest, making everything muted and peaceful.
“You been here before?” Julian asked.
“No. I’ve never been in this side of the Empire except for when we marched on Ardenta,” Leon replied.
“Same with me. I lived past the Capital all the way to the other side. That was before Adrian and I were soldiers.”
“I think I remember you telling me that.”
“So, you’ve never actually told me where you lived.”
“I haven’t?”
Julian shook his head. “I supposed I never thought to ask you.”
Leon was silent for a moment. “My father was a lieutenant. He was traveling with his men to relieve border patrol to the north. He stayed at an inn one night, and one of the serving maids was very pretty. Nine months later, I was born.”
“Did he ever come back?” Julian asked.
“No. My mother didn’t even know his last name, so I share hers. Her name was Leonie Fischer, so her cousin named me Leon.”
“Her cousin?” Julian asked in confusion.
“She was too young, and too frail. She died when I was born,” Leon replied.
“I’m so sorry,” Julian said.
Leon lifted his shoulders slightly.
“So, how did you end up as a soldier?” Julian asked.
“We lived to the south. I worked around the inn for a long time, but I never liked it,” Leon replied. “I loved the soldiers and would sneak out of bed to sit on the stairs and listen to them gamble and tell stories in the dining hall. One evening, when I was fourteen, I decided to go with them. I ran away that night and waited outside the town. When they rode out, I came and told them I wanted to join the army. They laughed, gave me a pony and dagger, and told me to come along.”
Julian looked over at him. “Despite the terrible things that happened, God used that for good. If you hadn’t joined the army, we wouldn’t know each other, and we would have never gone to Ardenta…” he paused, wondering if he had said too much too soon.
“And I would have never believed and come here now,” Leon finished. “It still amazes me to this day when I look back and see what God has done.”
When night fell, the two had still not reached the end of the woods. They settled down and made camp in a partially sheltered hallow. After building a small fire, they ate some of their provisions “If we stay here too much longer, we’ll have to start trapping,” Leon said.
Julian nodded.
Not long after they lay down to sleep by the red glow of the fire.
Julian wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep, but suddenly he was aware of a sound. He lay very still, listening. He was on his side, facing the fire, and the sound was coming from behind him. It was the sound of movement and breathing. His hand slowly moved to his belt, and then he realized the knife he always carried had been left with Joseph for fear they would not make it past the border patrol if they were armed.
Whatever the thing was, it was right behind him, and Julian held his breath. Across the dying embers on the other side of the fire-pit, he could see Leon lying on his back, deep in sleep. The thing behind Julian touched his back. Julian spun, rolling quickly and striking out. His fist connected with fur, and there was a yelp like the sound a dog would make.
Julian pushed himself up into a sitting position, breathing hard. Three grey creatures stood near the outer rim of the dying firelight, teeth bared and angry snarls coming from them. “Leon!” Julian shouted.
Leon startled and scrambled up, crouched in defense even before he was fully awake. He took in the wolves and quickly reached for a handful of sticks and leaves. He flung them onto the fire, and a burst of light was kindled, scaring the wolves a few paces back. The fire died down again, and the wolves moved closer. Julian swept up an armful of leaves and threw them on the fire, and Leon tossed in more sticks of wood that they had gathered. Julian found a sturdy branch and slowly moved to his feet, the weapon in hand.
The flames burned bright and high, and the wolves moved back, snarling with annoyance. After a tense several minutes, the wolves slunk away into the shadows, searching for easier pray.
Julian looked at Leon. “I’ll take first watch.”
Leon yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I think I just remembered why I hate camping in the woods.”
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
“It will be so strange to be tall again,” Julian grinned.
What does that mean? I’m sure the past two books talk about it…but I didn’t read them as you know.
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
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